The Memorials

The Memorials were spearheaded by Bay Area drumming prodigy, Thomas Pridgen, in December of 2009. After a few years performing with The Mars Volta, Thomas turned his attention to forming his own group, incorporating a range of styles as diverse as the experiences of the bands members. Instead of becoming another rock bands’ heartbeat, the focus was to collaborate with proficient musicians whom Thomas felt would fill a void he has heard in rock music throughout his life. Thomas reached out to friends and former students of the esteemed Berklee College of Music, Viveca Hawkins (vocals), and Nick Brewer (guitars), to join him in his newest endeavor. Recording with his friend’s yielded a family vibe that enabled a comfortable yet intense recording process. The groups’ assets were rounded out with the addition of a bass, organ, synthesizers, and multiple percussive elements. Thomas describes The Memorials’ first record as:
“For me it was important to put a band together with my friends, and ya know, the record is a rollercoaster. Some songs are hard, but will make you cry by the end....”
The aura of the recording sessions, and Thomas’ vision for the group, are reflected in the views of the bands members. Viveca Hawkins glows when speaking of the project:

“We have totally made this project out of love…This album is made of the best of us, we put our hearts and souls into this.” The passion and intensity of the recording sessions is audible on The Memorials debut effort, as they combine a vast array of sounds atop Thomas and Nick’s compositions. Nick’s sprawling guitars and Thomas’ thick drums serve as the core of the sound, while Viveca’s voice brings it together perfectly. The end music is intelligent and calculated, exhibiting certain pop sensibilities within the scope of songs that rock out. The compositions highlight each musician’s incredible talent, while creating textured tracks that feel like vignettes of a band finding their stride.

The Memorials also drew on the skills of the following musicians:
Uriah Duffy – bass
Nehemiah Johnson – organ/melotron
Michael Aaberg – keys
Marquinho – percussion
Valentino Peeps – percussion


Members Bio
Thomas Pridgen (est. 11.23.83 – Oakland, CA)
Drums
As the winner of the Guitar Center Drum-Off at the age of 9, and youngest individual sponsored by Zildjian at age 10, then the recipient of a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music at the age of 15, it’s a given Thomas Pridgen was on his way to greatness. Thomas has studied with an impressive roster of accomplished drummers with an incredibly array of styles; including: Dennis Chambers, Dave Garibaldi, Curtis Nutall, Walfredo Reyes Sr., Dom Famularo, Virgil Donati, Animal – Meat Puppets, Dave Dacinzo, and Troy Luketta.
If you ask him, he has a lot to learn, but pioneers in anything always say that. His career has included projects with Keyshia Cole. Wicked Wisdom, Christian Scott, and most recently, with The Mars Volta. Since Thomas’ departure from the band in late 2009, his focus has shifted to making his own musical vision a reality. After recording tracks for Curren$y and Mos Def, Thomas went back to his home in Oakland and readied his first attempt as band leader, with The Memorials. Thomas describes the project accordingly:
“Looking back on how the music and ideas flowed out of us, it was natural from the start, that’s why I didn’t doubt it. Music is supposed to be people’s release. I wanted an energy there (when we were recording), and I really tried to catch everyone’s moments.” He goes on to say, “I feel that I picked amazing talents as band mates, and I’m stoked that we were on the same page.”

Thomas Pridgen is sponsored by:
Promark - DW - Zildjian - XL/Gator Drum Cases
Evans - Westone In-Ear Monitors - Lee Greenwich - Audix Microphones


Viveca Hawkins (est. 1.27.84 - Berkeley, CA)
Vocals
Recording since she was 13, Viveca Hawkins is no stranger to the studio. She’s been part of various performance companies in the Bay Area, which she says, “pretty much whipped me into shape.” Viv also went to Berklee for a short stint, embarking on that particular journey with 6 suitcases and $500. Coincidentally, she ran into Thomas during her first week there, after a few chance meetings back in the Bay Area when they were both younger. She describes her real background as “hip hop soul,” yet prides herself on the ability to sing within a wide range and The Memorials first full-length proves she really can. Viveca says, “The music we’ve made is going to cross genres…we made songs about love and hate, and war, and Cali, and loss, and nature.” The ability to be herself, and remain authentic in various sounds, is a testament to her as a singer and a person. As the front-woman for The Memorials she commands attention with her incredible range and amazing talent.
Viveca has performed and recorded with a who’s who of soulful hip hop outfits; including: Blackalicious, Goapele, Soulive, The Coup f/Blackthought & Talib Kweli, MF Doom, Pharoah Monch, Cee Lo, Slum Village.

Nick Brewer (est. 3.11.79 – Charleston, SC)
Guitars

“We’re really ambitious with this, the sky’s the limit,” says South Carolina native and The Memorials’ guitarist, Nick Brewer. He’s been in and out of bands, playing everything from metal to reggae, but really hasn’t been part of the music industry as it exists. Nick headed to California to pursue his music, but says, “I moved out to (CA) to get some gigs, but I didn’t like LA man, so since then, I’ve pretty much just been a hired gun.” When Thomas called and asked him to play guitar in his new band, he was on-board instantly, flying out to Oakland to record for one insane week. “That recording session was ridiculous,” Nick says, “I’ve never worked that hard creatively in my life.”

After playing with Thomas at Berklee, the two hadn’t had much contact in the years to follow; “I hadn’t really talked that much with Thomas… but the very first day, on the first song we were writing, the chemistry was back, it was right there.” Nick’s enormous talent is capable of next to anything on the guitar; drawing on a wide range of rifts to give The Memorials a balance that is uncommon.